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FEMIBION has developed supplements for the special phases of pregnancy, from before conceiving to the end of breastfeeding.
FEMIBION food supplements provide well chosen nutrients that, used as a complement to a balanced and varied diet, can support the mom and the baby during this special and exciting time.

Publication of MerckKGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. In the USA and Canada the subsidiaries of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in Healthcare, MilliporeSigma in Life Science and EMD Performance Materials.

In the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico we operate as EMD. Please confirm that you are not located in these countries and you intend to visit our sites outside these countries by checking the box to the left and clicking Continue.

FEMIBION has developed supplements for the special phases of pregnancy, from before conceiving to the end of breastfeeding. FEMIBION food supplements provide well chosen nutrients that, used as a complement to a balanced and varied diet, can support the mom and the baby during this special and exciting time.

Publication of MerckKGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. In the USA and Canada the subsidiaries of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operate as EMD Serono in Healthcare, MilliporeSigma in Life Science and EMD Performance Materials.

In the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico we operate as EMD. Please confirm that you are not located in these countries and you intend to visit our sites outside these countries by checking the box to the left and clicking Continue.

Negotiating family-friendly working hours

Once you have a baby you might wonder how anybody juggles work and family life! It is possible though, really. Maternity leave is the ideal time to think about your needs and what’s a realistic working schedule for you and your family. Then when you’re ready you can speak to your employer. Here are a few tips on how to negotiate the best work/life balance for you:

Know your rights

If you’re returning to work from maternity leave, you have a right to ask your employer for flexible working hours – so don’t be afraid to speak up. Many employers are sympathetic to the pressures on working mums, so you might be pleasantly surprised by their response.

Know your worth

If you’re a good employee, then it will make sense for the company to keep hold of you even if that means being flexible on the hours you do. Write a list of all the ways you’re an asset to the company, along with the key skills and experience that make you invaluable. If you’ve been out of the workplace for some time these could include skills you’ve gained as a mother, from multitasking to diplomacy, for example.

Know what you want

It’s important to think about what you actually want before you speak to your boss. Do you need to work fewer hours, for example, or do you need flexibility to work the same hours to a slightly different schedule? Would it help to work one day from home? Think about what would be the best work/life balance for you and be realistic.

Aim high

Start by asking for your dream scenario and make it clear that you’re willing to negotiate. If you work full time, you might want to work three days a week for example and work from 8am to 4pm on those days. Your boss may well refuse, but if you aim high, he or she is more likely to meet you in the middle with a compromise that works for both of you.

Take your time

Don’t feel you have to agree to anything straight away. Ask for a couple of days to think things over. There’s no point agreeing to a scenario that’s unrealistic – you’ll end up miserable or quitting anyway, so it’s best to be brave and discuss the right terms now.

Keep an open mind

Once you have your baby, you may find your work requirements change. For some women this as an opportunity to try a different career avenue, whether that’s starting up a business from home, or a new job with a less busy schedule. If you are looking for part-time work, specialist agencies like www.workingmums.co.uk and www.capabilityjane.com can be helpful as they cater specifically to working parents. A growing number of organisations are coming to understand the benefits of using part-time staff who are experienced and reliable.

* Please note that we cannot always reflect all current legal information across all points, but you can always consult your local government websites for more information such as https://www.gov.uk/browse/childcare-parenting

MumPlus – Is motherhood part of your CV yet?

We believe that women shouldn’t have to choose between having children and a career. It is time working mothers get the credit they deserve.